Be alert on new law, Jackies Law, permit required for any trench deeper than 3 feet.
Trail head can be down with a grant of $12,000
Councilor Comments
Zollo - Head's up on the Financial Planning Committee report, coming to the Town Council on April 15th. Horace Mann open forum for the town on April 27th. We will look for your input and interaction on the report.
Bartlett - to add to Zollo's comment, watch on the 15th, then come on the 27th armed with any questions.
Feeley - thanks to the unions who have voted to take a wage freeze
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Live reporting - Action items
J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
Capital discussion
Motion to move #1 Capital Plan to the April 15th meeting
Approved 7-0
Q - Bartlett - if we didn't spend this money what would happen?
A - Nutting - if we did not buy these vehicles now, we would need to buy more later. The problems don't go away. We spend between a million and 1.5 million to maintain the town operations. If we don't do it, we will get further behind. It would be a major mistake to not spend this capital budget.
Q - Batlett - what was the total request?
A - Nutting - The Fire Dept had more, the schools had more, some were left aside because of decisions by the Building Committee
A - Sabolinksi - Text books are a priority, some history books go back, other books we need additional copies of, the wifi at the high school would enable to students to bring their own systems in for instructional technology
Q - Vallee - is this for the lawnmower?
A - Nutting - this is for a used bucket truck, the used price is considerably less than the new bucket truck would cost.
- Resolution 09-06: Appropriation – 2009 Capital Plan (see note below)
- Resolution 09-19: Franklin Village Mall, 1000 Franklin Village Drive Acceptance of Covenant with Property Owner Approved 7-0 (the property was originally one parcel, it has technically been split into two, this is to ensure that they still maintain the access road and drainage)
- Resolution 09-20: Authorization for Grant of Access Easement over Town-Owned Land Located off Cross Street Approved 7-0 (cleans up the title and access to the property so that Jeff could sign an easement at the closing of the property sale to Walgreens)
- Bylaw Amendment 09-630:Amendment to Chapter 37, Town Properties- 2nd Reading (allows Town Administrator to set rules and regulations for the use of Town Buildings) Approved 7-0 (by roll call)
Capital discussion
Motion to move #1 Capital Plan to the April 15th meeting
Approved 7-0
Q - Bartlett - if we didn't spend this money what would happen?
A - Nutting - if we did not buy these vehicles now, we would need to buy more later. The problems don't go away. We spend between a million and 1.5 million to maintain the town operations. If we don't do it, we will get further behind. It would be a major mistake to not spend this capital budget.
Q - Batlett - what was the total request?
A - Nutting - The Fire Dept had more, the schools had more, some were left aside because of decisions by the Building Committee
A - Sabolinksi - Text books are a priority, some history books go back, other books we need additional copies of, the wifi at the high school would enable to students to bring their own systems in for instructional technology
Q - Vallee - is this for the lawnmower?
A - Nutting - this is for a used bucket truck, the used price is considerably less than the new bucket truck would cost.
Live reporting - budget update
I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS
Chris Feeley - Budget Subcommittee
Budget update:
The projected deficit is now between $500,000 and $3 Million depending upon what happens
Chris Feeley - Budget Subcommittee
Budget update:
- Revenue estimated to be $225,000 less than current year
- lots of items in flux
- hotel/meals tax at State undecided
- Federal stimulus money to arrive but not sure about any restrictions on it
The projected deficit is now between $500,000 and $3 Million depending upon what happens
Live reporting - Fire Dept Update
H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS –
Street listing updated and synchronized with Town Clerk and Town surveys, maps
(2) Community outreach is starting, if anyone has information that the Fire Dept should know about, please contact them so the database can be updated.
Q - Why do trucks go out on all calls?
A - 44% of the second calls occur before the first one is complete, instead of coming back to the fire station to get the vehicle, they already have it with them.
As a call comes to the dispatch, the information is printed and grabbed by a fireman on the way to ride out with the truck
Lnger term, they want to install laptops in the trucks so additional information can be accessed on the way to the call or at the call
Drill down details available in the dispatch system. For example, the Hazardous material info provides all the details that used to be contained in large books that were hard to flip through in a hurry.
They are mapping in the flow systems on the hydrants from the DPW.
They have access to site plans for commercial and industrial properties.
Anecdote of a woman who lives on one side of Town, her father lives on the other side. If he has a problem, Lifeline is called, she gets called, the Fire Dept is also on the call list. The information of where the key is located in the system so the Fire Dept can assist her father as soon as they arrive.
The dispatch system is about to be wired into the Enhanced 911 system so the call information will be able to pre-populate the information when the call arrives.
- Update – Gary McCarraher, Fire Department
Street listing updated and synchronized with Town Clerk and Town surveys, maps
(2) Community outreach is starting, if anyone has information that the Fire Dept should know about, please contact them so the database can be updated.
Q - Why do trucks go out on all calls?
A - 44% of the second calls occur before the first one is complete, instead of coming back to the fire station to get the vehicle, they already have it with them.
As a call comes to the dispatch, the information is printed and grabbed by a fireman on the way to ride out with the truck
Lnger term, they want to install laptops in the trucks so additional information can be accessed on the way to the call or at the call
Drill down details available in the dispatch system. For example, the Hazardous material info provides all the details that used to be contained in large books that were hard to flip through in a hurry.
They are mapping in the flow systems on the hydrants from the DPW.
They have access to site plans for commercial and industrial properties.
Anecdote of a woman who lives on one side of Town, her father lives on the other side. If he has a problem, Lifeline is called, she gets called, the Fire Dept is also on the call list. The information of where the key is located in the system so the Fire Dept can assist her father as soon as they arrive.
The dispatch system is about to be wired into the Enhanced 911 system so the call information will be able to pre-populate the information when the call arrives.
Live reporting - License transactions
G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS
Approved 7-0
- Request for Modification of Hours – 3
Approved 7-0
Live reporting - Hearing
F. HEARINGS
Chief Williams describes the compliance check of the 31 establishments on Friday evening, March 13th. Requesting to handle as a first time offense. Proposed a three day penalty, to serve one day with two days held in abeyance (for 2 years).
The one day was agreed to be served on April 3rd.
Motion approved 7-0
Ouzo Corporation(Franklin Mobil)
for Failure to Pass Compliance Check -7:10 PM
Chief Williams describes the compliance check of the 31 establishments on Friday evening, March 13th. Requesting to handle as a first time offense. Proposed a three day penalty, to serve one day with two days held in abeyance (for 2 years).
The one day was agreed to be served on April 3rd.
Motion approved 7-0
Live reporting - Town Council 4/1/09
Attending: Whalen, Vallee, Bartlett, Feeley, Pfeffer, Doak, Zollo
Missing: Mason, McGann
A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
B. ANNOUNCEMENTS
C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS – Putnam Investments
D. CITIZEN COMMENTS
E. APPOINTMENTS
Missing: Mason, McGann
A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
B. ANNOUNCEMENTS
C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS – Putnam Investments
D. CITIZEN COMMENTS
E. APPOINTMENTS
"nothing in here is frivolous"
Town Council will consider spending just over $1 million from free cash on capital items at tonight's meeting.
The 2009 capital plan came before the council a month ago, but councilors delayed making a decision until the winter and its costly snowstorms were finished.
Town Administrator Jeffrey D. Nutting and Councilor Judith Pond Pfeffer, who is on the Capital Planning Improvement Subcommittee, say now is the time to approve the $1,074,600 plan.
"The Capital Improvement Subcommittee blessed it, the Finance Committee blessed it...At this point, I think we should approve the capital items and focus on the 2010 budget," Nutting said.
Read the full article about the decision on the agenda tonight to approve the capital plan in the Milford Daily News here.
Note: The capital dollars can not be used for operational expenses. Using these dollars for these items is in the Town's best interest to continue their sound fiscal management practices.
"isn't it time we came out of the basement and into the light"
GHS
FRANKLIN —
In the past month, Franklin Food Pantry directors have been flooded with offers of help from the public to keep the pantry in town, pantry Executive Linda Pouliot said yesterday.
After learning the food pantry, located in the basement of the new town museum, will be displaced to make way for museum storage, private residents and business owners have offered space in their properties, two realty companies are searching among their vacant properties, and others said they're on the lookout for a home, Pouliot said, a big smile on her face.
Nothing is solid at the moment, Pouliot said, but she said she is optimistic about getting a new home in town because she is confident in people's generosity.
Read the full article about the Franklin Food Pantry in the Milford Daily News here
State Education Mandates - Part 11
From time to time, particular around the budget period, reference is generally made to Franklin Public Schools having to support "unfunded mandates." I managed to find a listing of such compiled by the Massachusetts Association of School Committees. This is Part 11 and the final entry in the series.
Unexpended Education FundsThe full listing is available here (DOC)
Massachusetts local school districts are required, unlike as in many other states, to return, at the termination of each fiscal year, unexpended/unencumbered funds to the municipality’s general fund. This requirement is counter to stimulating incentives for school districts to find creative ways to generate savings throughout the fiscal year. Municipalities often conclude that funds, which are returned at the end of the fiscal year, is misinterpreted as evidence that the school district did not really need said funds. School districts are not permitted to establish rainy day funds.
Technology
Each year, the district must have a technology plan. An annual report must be sent to the state indicating how the district is using technology to teach, how much is being spent and what the district plans to spend in the future. There are technology benchmarks that must be met by students at each grade and all students must meet state-defined technology proficiency by the end of grade 8. The development of technology plans (incorporating professional, administrative, and community personnel), the recommended student to technology (computer) ratio, and the ratio of technology personnel recommended for districts, directly affect school budget development.
Building Maintenance
Districts have a requirement to spend a minimum amount to maintain buildings and are required to pay “union scale” otherwise know as “prevailing wage,” on projects for repairs and maintenance when done by an outside contractor. This mandate results in higher costs for many skilled trade services.
The following is a list of annual inspections and tests required by the state for maintenance of buildings:
• boiler inspections;
• air tank inspections;
• fire alarm tests;
• fire suppression tests (kitchens);
• fire extinguisher tests;
• elevator & chair lift inspections;
• under-ground tank inspections/replacements,
• drainage back-flow controls,
• stage rigging inspections;
• Integrated Pest Management Plans (use of pesticides) including community notifications;
• fire sprinkler tests; and
• Asbestos inspections.
Franklin's Earth Day Celebration
Franklin's Earth Day Celebration
Saturday April 18th, 2009
Beaver Pond
Starts at 9:00 AM
Volunteer to clean up targeted areas and assist with planting flowers and shrubs around Franklin.
- Please bring your own water bottle.
- Please bring your own gloves and rakes.
- Community service certificates will be issued.
- T-shirts to the first 200 volunteers.
- Clean up goes to 1:00 PM
Get some Eco-Info at Beaver Pond:
- Water conservation kits and rain barrel display.
- Mercury thermometer exchange for digital thermometers.
- Recycling tips and composting information.
- Energy conservation tips.
- Much more ! ! !
You can register on the Town website here
"the potential of these tools is pretty visionary"
What’s most compelling to me here is not necessarily the tool set, however, as much as the vision that brought this to fruition. While most all of this work is done locally on an internal network, the concepts are preparing kids at Concord for the very global network they’ll inhabit once they leave the system. And here is the best part: Concord is a special needs school, a place where kids with all sorts of disabilities attend. The work that these kids do in these contexts is very rewarding on a number of levels.
The larger point here is that this isn’t too far out of the reach of most schools provided they have the courage and the leadership to make it happen. Aside from the photo-sharing tool, the rest is freely available. There’s nothing really too difficult about it aside, perhaps, from creating good teaching around the tools. Makes you wonder what so many other schools are waiting for.
Read the full article by Wil Richardson and find out more about Concord, a school in Australia.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
remember the Harlem Wizards?
Do you remember the Harlem Wizards?
They did come to Franklin a couple of weeks ago.
Want to review some video highlights?
Click to play to enjoy!
The photo slide show of the visit can be found here
They did come to Franklin a couple of weeks ago.
Want to review some video highlights?
Click to play to enjoy!
The photo slide show of the visit can be found here
Town Council - 04/01/09 - Agenda
A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
B. ANNOUNCEMENTS
C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS – Putnam Investments
D. CITIZEN COMMENTS
E. APPOINTMENTS
F. HEARINGS
G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS
H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS –
I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS
J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
K. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
L. OLD BUSINESS
M. NEW BUSINESS
N. COUNCIL COMMENTS
O. EXECUTIVE SESSION – Negotiations, Litigation, Real Property, as May Be Required
P. ADJOURN
B. ANNOUNCEMENTS
C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS – Putnam Investments
D. CITIZEN COMMENTS
E. APPOINTMENTS
F. HEARINGS
Ouzo Corporation(Franklin Mobil)
for Failure to Pass Compliance Check -7:10 PM
G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS
- Request for Modification of Hours – 3
H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS –
- Update – Gary McCarraher, Fire Department
I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS
J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
- Resolution 09-06: Appropriation – 2009 Capital Plan
- Resolution 09-19: Franklin Village Mall, 1000 Franklin Village Drive Acceptance of Covenant with Property Owner
- Resolution 09-20: Authorization for Grant of Access Easement over Town-Owned Land Located off Cross Street
- Bylaw Amendment 09-630:Amendment to Chapter 37, Town Properties- 2nd Reading
K. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
L. OLD BUSINESS
M. NEW BUSINESS
N. COUNCIL COMMENTS
O. EXECUTIVE SESSION – Negotiations, Litigation, Real Property, as May Be Required
P. ADJOURN
"teachers are dedicated professionals"
GHS
NO DATA —
Despite comments to the contrary from the Franklin Education Association president, school and town officials say they remain optimistic the teachers union will forgo their negotiated raises to save jobs.
Chandler Creedon, president of the association, which represents about 600 teachers, educational aides, nurses and van drivers, has said the union is unlikely to go along with the School Committee's call for a salary freeze.
Moreover, he said, not all alternatives to the unprecedented cost-saving measure have been explored - such as the $1.2 million in savings he and the union have identified, for instance.
School Committee Chairman Jeffrey Roy, members Susan Rohrbach, Ed Cafasso, and Town Councilor Stephen Whalen questioned whether Creedon's remarks represent the union majority, and hope members will meet soon and express their feelings on the freeze.
Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here
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